A Girl Worth Fighting For (Uncontrolled Heroes Book 1) Page 2

  “You’re blocking the sunlight,” I tell him instead.

  “Someone call for a boost?” A younger guy, with longish hair and more tattoos than the other hunky guys, comes out with the booster pack.

  “Thanks,” I say as I take it from his hands. It’s not easy, but I’ve done this by myself a few times before. Connecting it to my battery, I set it on the edge of the car and rush to run the engine.

  Both kids and all three men watch me as I slowly rev the engine to gain the juice it needs to get home. Dad’s going to be pissed I haven’t replaced it yet.

  After a few minutes, I’ve got enough power to make it home. Unhooking the pack, I hand it back to the guy who brought it to me with a muttered thanks.

  “That was cool!” Mac says as he holds his sister’s hand. I knew he loved her.

  “Experience.” I shrug.

  As I’m about to slide back into my car, Cade says, “You need to replace that.”

  Fighting off my eye roll, I salute him and pull out of the parking lot with a small wave to the kids. The drive from Long Beach to Huntington Beach, where I live, is only thirty minutes, but traffic is against me today and it takes me an hour instead.

  It helps me clear my head and push the lust I felt for Cade to the side. However, the small bond I developed with Lily in such a short time cramps my heart. There was a spark with this family. Something I’ve never felt before.

  Almost like they were my own. I’ve never had that before.

  “Hey, sweetheart!” Dad calls from the porch of our beat-up house. We’ve lived here my entire life. Even after Momma left, Dad never wanted to leave. It’s home.

  “Hi, Daddy. How are you feeling?” I smile at the man. He’s the best man I know. I’ll never understand why Mom ran away with Calla. I’ll never forget the heartache and pain that followed for years, especially because we were never able to learn why she left in the middle of the night with my baby sister.

  “Better now.” He smiles at me as I sit next to him. “He’s missed you, you know.” Thundering steps can be heard from the back of the house as my boy comes bursting through the door.

  “No!” I laugh as I’m slimed with kisses all over my face. Roman is my two-year-old Cane Corso. He’s the biggest softy in the world, once you get to know him. He treats me like I’ve abandoned him every time I leave home. “Dammit, Roman,” I grunt as he climbs over my lap.

  “What the hell is that?” The angered voice can be heard from the road. Roman immediately goes on alert.

  His ears press back, and his teeth are bared as he slowly walks down the porch steps and to the chain link fence.

  Cade stands there with Lily in his arms and Mac beside him. Both kids are fascinated with Roman’s size. To them, he must look like a horse.

  “Roman, at ease.” He immediately sits and turns into the sweetheart I know and love.

  Cade

  Why the fuck am I here? She was late, rude, and stormed out of my office. So, why the hell did I follow her home?

  “He’s huge!” Lily marvels as she watches the beast Petal calls a dog, his tail wagging back and forth.

  “He could eat you in one gulp,” Mac teases her, and I smack the back of his head lightly. “Hey! It’s not my fault it’s true.”

  “Doesn’t mean you talk to your sister like that,” I scold him. He’s been full of piss and vinegar lately, and I’m sick of it. He’s almost nine now and is becoming too much like me.

  “How can I help you, Mr. Larrabee?” Petal crosses her arms defensively, and I don’t blame her. I was pretty harsh earlier for no other reason than, when I saw her interacting with Lily, my cock and heart stood up to attention.

  “Can we talk?” She raises an eyebrow. I’m going to have to work this apology hard.

  “Come on in.” She opens the gate, and the beast stands as Mac enters and watches him with a critical eye, while Lily practically jumps from my arms and races right toward him, arms wide, and crashes into his chest.

  When I go to grab her, before he can bite her, I’m shocked when he rolls over to his back, eyes closed, tongue hanging out his mouth and tail wagging rapidly, while Lily lays her head on his chest and sighs.

  I think my daughter just fell in love with a dog.

  Closing the gate behind me, I don’t follow Petal as she walks up the steps to her house. “He’s not going to hurt her. He’d rather bite his own leg off than hurt someone he likes.”

  “Someone he likes,” I repeat. Mac was right; this thing could eat Lil in one bite. “Come on, Lily-pad, let’s go talk with Petal.” Damn. Why do I like the sound of her name so much? Mac walks up to the woman no problem. Lily, however, doesn’t want to leave her new best friend.

  “Roman, heel,” the older man on the porch calls, and the dog bounds up the steps after carefully extracting himself from my daughter’s clutches, but he watches her with longing in his dark dog gaze.

  “Dad, this is Cade Larrabee and his kids, Lily and Mac. This is my Dad, Wesley.” Petal nods and frowns as she spins on her heels and opens the screen door. Mac and Lily follow her.

  “Mr. Larrabee, I’m sorry Petal was late this morning. That was my fault. She won’t tell you that though.” He sighs and looks into the house where Petal is already getting the kids a drink and snack. “She won’t admit what a burden I’ve become this past month, but things are looking brighter.”

  “I’m afraid I didn’t give her much of a chance to say anything when she came to see me. I was put off by how different she is from the picture on the nanny website.” It still bothers me.

  “Oh, that.” His smile disappears. “She was rightly pissed when they refused to use one of her modeling pictures that show just who she is, and instead used the one where she looks like a high school girl.” He shakes his head. “She doesn’t let it put people off though. She loves her job and the kids.”

  “Model?” That shocks me.

  “Oh, yeah, from the time she was thirteen to sixteen, she modeled for a couple of makeup companies and a couple of commercials. Some clothes, too. She grew uncomfortable when her agent was only referring her for lingerie shoots. Says the only way she’ll do that is if it’s a maternity one.”

  My eyes widen with shock and Wesley chuckles.

  “She’s destined to be a mom one day, and she’ll be a damn good one. But she’s afraid to put herself out there after what happened with her own.”

  Before I get a chance to ask about that, Petal is coming out to hand Wesley a glass of iced tea. “Here you go, Daddy.” She also hands him a pill bottle.

  “A caretaker, this one is.” He grins at her, and she nods her head for me to follow her inside. I have so many damn questions and can’t ask a single one with my kids around.

  “What is it you wanted?” She gets right to the point as the screen door slams behind me.

  “I wanted to apologize for my dismissive attitude this morning,” I begin. “I was taken off guard by the difference of appearance.” She doesn’t say anything. I can see Lil and Mac in the kitchen coloring, and I have to agree with Wes; she’s going to be one hell of a mom.

  “I’m used to it.” She shrugs, and that pisses me off again. She shouldn’t be used to it.

  “Look, your references were great. I knew the moment I watched you with Lily that you were hired, but I went about it the wrong way. Could we start again?”

  As she chews on her bottom lip, I’m pulled forward, itching to reach out and touch Petal as she debates her answer. With less than a foot separating us, her fragrance reaches forward and teases my nostrils as I inhale deeply.

  “All right, Mr. Larrabee, we can forget this morning because I really like your kids, but don’t ever talk to me the way you did this morning, or I walk and you won’t see me again.” Her threat punches me right in the gut.

  I don’t like the idea of not seeing her again.

  “You got it,” I agree against my better judgment. I’m not an easy guy to get along with, and I have a feeling there will
be plenty more arguments in our future. “Listen, it’s Friday, so how about we get a fresh start on Monday?”

  “Works for me.” She smiles and Goddamn does her face light up.

  “Daddy, could Petal come to the beach tomorrow?” Lily comes running up to me. The girl is terrified of the water, but she loves the sand and smell of the ocean so, nearly every weekend, we’re at the beach at least one day.

  “I’m sure Petal is busy.” I try to let her down gently.

  “She’s not!” is called from the front porch. Jesus. Petal rolls her eyes at the old man.

  “If you want to join us, you’re welcome to,” I tell her.

  “Where are you going?” Her head cocks to the side curiously.

  “Junipero Beach.” It’s walking distance to our house.

  “Can I bring a picnic basket?” Lily lights up at the idea, so I nod. “Great. Any allergies?”

  “None. See you around lunch.”

  After saying goodbye to Wesley and Roman, the kids both give Petal a huge hug before bouncing out to my truck. Passing Petal’s car, I remember the trouble she had starting it this morning and debate stopping to tell her I’ll pick her up. Forcing myself to keep walking, I fight every instinct beating its way to the surface to take care of her.

  She’s my nanny.

  Not my girl.

  I need to remember that.

  Chapter Three

  Petal

  “What am I doing, Roman?” With his leash in one hand and the picnic basket in the other, I stand on the pathway and watch Cade with his kids.

  If ever I thought my ovaries could explode from sexual desire, it’d be right now. Seeing such a big, gruff man being so kind and loving toward his kids is what every woman fantasizes about.

  Shaking the depressing thoughts of my mother off, I look to Roman who is dying to get to them. But he won’t until I move. He’s the best-trained animal I’ve ever seen.

  “Don’t fall in love with him,” I mutter to myself, but Roman whines.

  As we walk through the sand, the beach isn’t too busy, probably because tourist season doesn’t start until next month. However, it’s warm enough that there are quite a few locals out here, which means I have to maneuver around them to get to where I’m going.

  “Hey there, pretty girl.” One guy grips my arm until Roman snarls at him and he backs off.

  “Petal!” Lily screams when she sees me. “Roman!” Her squeal hurts my ears, but my dog jumps up and down with his excitement until I let the leash go, and then he runs to her, lying down and rolling over just feet before they collide.

  Lily’s little giggles are contagious, and I laugh with her as Mac and Cade come walking over to us. “Hey.” Cade grins as he takes the basket from my hands and passes it off to his son.

  “Hi back,” I murmur, barely able to take my eyes off his muscled and tattooed torso. Jesus, it should be illegal to be so damn perfect.

  “You find it okay?” This awkward greeting is the weirdest moment of my life.

  “Mr. Larrabee—”

  “Cade.”

  “Cade, I’ve lived in the Los Angeles county area my entire life. If I didn’t know where a beach was, there’d be something wrong with me.” Saying his name shouldn’t feel so erotic, but my entire body quivers at the use of it.

  “Yeah,” he looks away before turning a disarming grin back my way, “I suppose so.”

  “Hey, Petal! Catch!” Mac calls, and I barely have time to jump up for the frisbee he tosses my way, just missing my head.

  “Mac!” Cade scolds. “Watch the head.”

  The boy smirks in a way only boys can. “Sorry.” He doesn’t look all that sorry.

  “He’s not.” Cade scowls at his oldest child. “But I am. He’s been acting out a lot lately.”

  “He’s eight, right?” Cade nods. “Lots of friends?” We stand on the sand with Lily lying on Roman and showing him her ballerina book as Mac throws his frisbee up and down in the air.

  “I guess.” Cade shrugs, but I get the feeling he’s not all that sure.

  “Anything in particular I should know about?” I’ve been dying to ask about their mom, but I can gather how Mac is feeling because, at ten, I was the same way.

  “Lily has only ever had me, Jace, and Beckett as influences.” He frowns. “My parents retired to San Jose two years ago, so she’s only got men around her now. None of us bring girls around the kids.”

  My nose wrinkles at the mention of girls. “Have they had a nanny before?” He shakes his head no. “Will you be letting Mac’s school know about me, in case I have to pick him up early or something?”

  “Yes, they’ll know. I need a photocopy of your I.D for Mac’s school and Lily’s dance classes.” I expected that so I brought a couple with me. “How long have you been doing this for?”

  Slipping my sandals off my feet, I drop my bag on the blanket he has set out on the sand. “For about two years now. I’ve been with three families for varying times.”

  Unfolding a chair, Cade offers it to me. “Why’d you leave them?”

  Easy and hard answers. “The first family I was with, I actually lived with them. Both parents had highly demanding jobs, and the kids needed more than just nine to five supervision. I was with them for nearly nine months before the mom decided she was done with work and quit. I stayed on for a month to help her adjust to her new schedule and the kids’ schedules. It was definitely different, teaching someone how to mother her own kids, but she was a good mom to begin with so that made it easier.”

  His scowl says it all. He doesn’t like that I had to teach a mom to mom. A lot of people have judged when I told them why I left. What they didn’t grasp though was her desire to be the mom her kids truly deserved. I’m still in contact with them once in a while, and she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her and so is her family.

  “The last family I was with, I had to quit because my dad had a heart attack. He needed me more than they did. They were very understanding and supportive. Even paid me an extra month to help with our own expenses because Dad’s insurance doesn’t cover the cost of all his new medications.”

  “And the second family?” Cade tilts his head, watching me and the kids at the same time it seems.

  “That one was less a mutual leaving as it was a lawsuit in the making.”

  “What do you mean by that?” he growls out.

  “The father decided I could be of more use to the family by sneaking around behind his wife’s back.” While my words are blunt, I don’t forget what he nearly did to my career because of his selfishness.

  “Are you shitting me?” He looks pissed.

  “Afraid not,” I mutter. I don’t like talking about it if I don’t have to.

  “That son of a bitch.” My sentiments exactly.

  “It’s done and over with. I’m happy now and very excited to get to know Mac and Lily.” I can’t hide my excitement as I watch both kids. No matter what else has happened in their past, these children are loved and that is one thing I love seeing.

  Cade

  I don’t know if I expected Petal to actually show up or if I thought she’d call to say she wasn’t coming. I definitely didn’t expect her to bring the horse she calls a dog. Despite my misgivings about the beast, I’ve never seen any animal be so gentle with someone as squirmy and sometimes rough as my little girl.

  Lily has plopped down on him like he’s a bean bag chair, and he only grunts from her weight and licks her feet. As she’s telling him about her books, he watches her like he understands what she’s saying.

  After listening to Petal tell me about her previous employment, I can’t help but wonder how I can get her to be my live-in nanny. For completely selfish reasons.

  My attraction to her is already a problem that none of us can afford. Hiring someone to take care of my kids was a difficult choice, but I find I’m not regretting it like I thought I would because she puts us all at ease. Even Mac.

  Until the damn kid rea
lizes he likes her and starts acting out again. Like now, giving her the cold shoulder and being rude to Lily.

  “Would you guys like a snow cone?” Petal stands and peels off her white tank top to reveal creamy skin that gets just enough attention from the sun in a white and pink polka dot bikini top. What catches my attention though, besides the tightening in my shorts, is the bright pink, purple, and blue tattoo of a calla lily climbing from her hip and up under her top.

  “Wow!” Lily exclaims, finally ditching the dog. “That’s really pretty.” Her fingers reach out to touch Petal’s skin, but she pulls back at the last minute, suddenly shy.

  “You can touch it,” Petal murmurs to the girl.

  “It’s bright,” I mutter, trying to counter the annoyance I feel at myself for being so attracted to the woman who is going to be taking care of my children.

  I remain silent as Mac comes over to see what all the fuss is about. Before he says anything, I can see the delight in his stormy gaze. “It’s kind of girly, isn’t it?”

  Petal snorts. “I am a girl,” she points out, and I hold back my laugh as she nails him with a ‘what did you think I was’ look.

  My boy scowls before saying, “I’ll help you.” That, more than anything, shocks me.

  “Let’s go then. Lily, you want blueberry?” Lil giggles and nods. “What about you, Cade?” Her voice catches when she says my name, and I’m horny enough to feel my dick twitch.

  “Cherry.” I wink as she blushes, and they walk over to the food truck. A trail of men watches as she and Mac push each other around. I see the desire in their stares and the way they cock their bodies toward her. I’d like to toss each of them in some shark infested waters.

  “Daddy?”

  “Yeah, Lily-pad?”

  “Can we keep her?” I turn my head toward Lily as she sighs.

  “What?”

  “She would the perfect mom!”

  Shit.

  Looks like I’m not the only one who is quickly becoming attached to Petal Davies.